John YoungKansas University track hurdler Michael Stigler repeated as the Male Athlete of the Year, while volleyball player Caroline Jarmoc won Female Athlete of the Year at Sunday’s third-annual Rock Chalk Choice Awards at Lied Center.
The volleyball team also won the Team GPA and CHAMPS (community service and spirt related category) awards.
Stigler became the first Jayhawk to win back-to-back Male Athlete of the Year honors.
Kip Niven, a KU graduate of theatrical and movie fame, served as the emcee, and a collection of KU athletics staff members presented awards, including former football standout Mike Rivera and rowing Academic All-American Risa Petty-Kern, who presented the athlete of the year awards.
Stigler last season won a third-consecutive Big 12 title in the 400-meter hurdles as well as first team All-America honors with a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championship meet.
John YoungThe first two-time AVCA Div. I All-American in Kansas history, Jarmoc finished her career first in the KU record book with a .327 career hitting percentage and second all-time with 1,333 kills and 1,769 points while guiding the Jayhawks to back-to-back NCAA appearances, including last year’s historic run to the Sweet 16.
Baseball’s Tucker Tharp won the Jayhawker Award, in honor of the “pioneers who held true to their values through devastation and hardship while founding the state of Kansas, exhibiting a commitment to Kansas principles and demonstrating mental toughness in the face of adversity and competition while making a positive contribution to Kansas Athletics.”
Football’s JaCorey Shepherd won Best Jayhawk in a Supporting Role, given to a student-athlete “who demonstrates extraordinary sportsmanship, support, and loyalty to teammates and Kansas Athletics.”
Soccer’s Liana Salazar won the Crimson Climb Award, given to the student-athlete who “has served as an inspiration to others by overcoming challenges and exceeding academic expectations.”
An All-Big 12 softball defensive-team selection after playing all 57 games for the Jayhawks and batting .358 for the year, Maddie Stein won the True Blue Award. It’s given to a person who “demonstrated an ability to excel in academics and athletics while advancing the mission of Kansas Athletics on campus and in the community as a member of the Kansas Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) executive board.”
John YoungThe Rock Chalk Moment of the Year went to the men’s basketball team, which won its 10th straight league title.
